Amplification type solid state imaging device

Abstract

An amplification type solid state imaging device of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix each of which includes: a photodiode for photoelectric conversion; a signal amplification MOS transistor which functions as an amplifier for amplifying a change in the potential of the photodiode; a pixel selection MOS transistor; and a reset MOS transistor for resetting the potential of the photodiode to a predetermined initial potential, gate terminals of the selection MOS transistors of the pixels along each row being commonly connected together with a predetermined signal read pulse being applied to the gate terminals, gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors of the pixels along each row being commonly connected together with a predetermined reset pulse being applied to the gate terminals, and terminals on one end of the selection MOS transistors of the pixels along each column being commonly connected together to form a signal line, wherein a shutter reset operation is performed by applying a shutter operation reset pulse to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors during a period which is different from a period during which the reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors in a pixel signal read operation. The shutter operation reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors in a state where a potential of the signal line is set to a predetermined fixed potential.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An amplification type solid state imaging device, comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix each of which includes: a photodiode for photoelectric conversion; a signal amplification MOS transistor which functions as an amplifier for amplifying a change in the potential of the photodiode; a pixel selection MOS transistor; and a reset MOS transistor for resetting the potential of the photodiode to a predetermined initial potential, gate terminals of the selection MOS transistors of the pixels along each row being commonly connected together with a predetermined signal read pulse being applied to the gate terminals, gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors of the pixels along each row being commonly connected together with a predetermined reset pulse being applied to the gate terminals, and terminals on one end of the selection MOS transistors of the pixels along each column being commonly connected together to form a signal line, wherein a shutter reset operation is performed by applying a shutter operation reset pulse to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors during a period which is different from a period during which the reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors in a pixel signal read operation, 
       wherein the shutter operation reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors in a state where a potential of the signal line is set to a predetermined fixed potential.  
     
     
       2. An amplification type solid state imaging device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter operation reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors during a period immediately after a reset signal read period in the pixel signal read operation. 
     
     
       3. An amplification type solid state imaging device according to  claim 1  or  2 , comprising fixed potential supply means for supplying the predetermined fixed potential to the signal line, wherein the shutter operation reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors by the fixed potential supply means in a period during which the fixed potential is supplied to the signal line. 
     
     
       4. An amplification type solid state imaging device according to  claim 3 , wherein: the fixed potential is supplied to the signal line by the fixed potential supply means in a period during which the reset pulse is applied to the gate terminals of the reset MOS transistors in the pixel signal read operation for a given row.